OPPOSITION and government MPs today dismissed an Umno leader’s claim that the prime minister interfered in Najib Razak’s SRC International Sdn Bhd trial.

Sembrong lawmaker Hishammuddin Hussein said the judiciary would want to preserve its integrity, therefore, there could not have been any meddling in the high court’s decision to order the former prime minister to enter his defence.

If such claims are to be made, he said, they should concern the agencies and individuals investigating and prosecuting the case.

“It is not a question of speculation, who is influencing whom. The process of the court case will determine the future, integrity, independence and credibility of the judges.

“We have to ask those involved. I don’t think (there has been interference). We were accused of that before, when we were in the government.

“The only people who can answer that are the judges themselves, the public prosecutors and all the agencies (involved),” the former Umno vice-president and minister told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

He was asked about the remarks made by Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam yesterday after Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali ruled that the prosecution has proven a prima facie case against Najib, and called him to enter his defence.

Hishammuddin said what is important now is for the case to move forward.

Lokman accused Dr Mahathir Mohamad of colluding with the judiciary to have Najib called to enter his defence on charges that he misappropriated RM42 million from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Najib has been charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust, three counts of money-laundering and one count of power abuse.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, too, dismissed Lokman’s claim.

“It is baseless. They can make claims, but the legal process is independent and transparent, and people can refer to the case.”

The Port Dickson MP said it is pointless to entertain claims of judicial interference as proceedings in the SRC International trial are ongoing.

“I don’t think we should entertain such allegations, unless they can give facts or incontrovertible evidence to support (the said allegations). Otherwise, we should allow the due process to proceed.”

Najib has chosen to give sworn testimony, and will be cross-examined by prosecutors.

His lawyer yesterday said the former prime minister and the entire defence team were “shocked” that the court did not grant an acquittal.

In response, Dr Mahathir said: “I am shocked that he is shocked.” – November 12, 2019.